Clash of Extremes.

SLAVERY; MILITIAS; ARMIES; FERRIES; NEWSPAPERS

"Clash of Extremes" by Robert W. Merry explores the role of Massachusetts and South Carolina in leading up to the Civil War. Merry argues that these two states embodied a clash between Puritan moralism and profit-driven hedonism, and that their actions and political figures played a significant role in the escalation of tensions. However, the book has been criticized for not providing enough information about the states themselves and for not fully representing the diversity of political figures within Massachusetts. Overall, while "Clash of Extremes" offers an engaging narrative of the era, it is not considered the definitive account of the period. [Extracted from the article]

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